Adam Back <aba@dcs.ex.ac.uk> wrote in article <5bp18k$1cc@life.ai.mit.edu>...

GSM encrypts only the links to the station - the traffic goes in the clear through the station. Plus A5 (crypto algorithm used in GSM) is weak, 40 bits of effective key space.

It could be worse to have poor crypto, than no crypto,

I disagree for two reasons, first there is a big difference between having poor locks and no locks. Most locks can be picked by an expert, they are effective against many theifs however. Second if everyone in the world was using 40 bit email encryption it would prevent most of the "promiscuous" interception of communications. The danger in weak crypto is thinking that it is strong crypto. GSM is weak crypto but stops the type of snooping the Martins engaged in. If you know not to talk about something secret on one then low crypto is better than having a signal anyone can pick up on a device from radio shack. Phill